What a relief!  It isn’t on me.  It isn’t up to me.

As I stumbled to the bathroom in the dark early morning, I ‘saw’ something beautiful.  (Definitely not in the mirror!)  Just as I groped past the sinks, it hit me.  Instead of focusing on all the ways I fall short, I can look up and focus on the wonder of who God is.  When I was trying to fall asleep last night, I was beating myself up for not coming up with a good topic for this week’s blog.  What right did I have to even write a blog, anyway?!  There are many people more spiritual than me.  Who do I think I am?  I haven’t spent enough time reading my Bible or inspirational articles this week.  I don’t measure up.  How could God use me?  But in the early morning while still groggily heading to the bathroom, it hit me that it isn’t up to me.  It isn’t about me.  God is God and the more I focus on who he is, the better.  He deserves my adoration.  Remembering his attributes brings me peace.  It isn’t about my performance.  He only requires faith from us.  The rest is on him. He looks for a bended knee and a trusting heart.  Even when our faith is small, he comes close and does what only he can do.

When I was a lonely, early teen trying to find acceptance and answers, my pastor taught on the names of God.  I loved that because I could see that God is everything I desired. Stop and think of what kind of person you want to have a close relationship with. I bet your list looks like mine: kind, reliable, trustworthy, caring, consistent, patient, humble, forgiving, generous, and understanding.  Not self-centered, short-fused, or disinterested.  This is the kind of person I want to be, too! Of course, none of us measure up to this high standard.  Except God himself.

So how do we know what God is like?  He has given us a book about himself!  He wants us to know him so he revealed himself to the ancient men and women of faith and helped them document their stories and his.  Since creation, God has been intimately involved in the lives of humans.  (Yes, I said ‘creation’ because that is how the start of the universe is described in God’s book.  It wasn’t random, unguided chance, but by design.)  As the history of humankind on planet Earth unfolds, we find out what God is like.  We accept his self-revelation by faith.  We believe God is who he says he is in the Bible.

Feeling small and unimportant in the big scheme of things? God sees each of us.
“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” (El-roi)  She also said, ‘Have I truly seen the One who sees me?’ “ Genesis 16:13

Wondering how your check is going to stretch to the end of the month?  God provides for those who trust him and serve him.
Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”  Genesis 22:14
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”  2 Corinthians 9:8

Feeling discouraged and want to give up?  You have a gentle Shepherd who helps you keep going.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”  Psalm 23
“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”  Isaiah 40:11

He is bigger than our problems and shortcomings
He is light in our dark moods or circumstances
He is gentle when we falter and want to give up
He is patient when we fail- again
He is faithful and has done/will do all he promised
He listens to our call for help
He forgives our wrongdoing
He knows the future and guides us in the right path
He is strong enough to help us
He has loving-kindness for us now and eternally
He knows us inside out and still loves us
He will win over all evil and makes us victors, too
He gives us what we need
He never leaves us
He rewards faith

If faith is what God desires from us, does it even matter what we do?  Yes, it does matter because one way we express our faith is by doing the right things that God asks us to do.  By faith, we believe God has the right to tell us what to do.  We trust that God will help us do the right thing.  We’re sure that he sees and rewards our right actions.  We know we have a kind Boss who helps us, is on our side, and is patient and understanding.  And he gives us generous perks like peace, contentment, and acceptance.

The better we get to know God, the more we want to please him.  As our appreciation of him grows, so does our desire to do what he asks.  If a close friend asked you to do something, you would do it because you love them.  You wouldn’t be doing it out of obligation, but out of love.  We do kind things for an aging parent or grandparent because we appreciate what they have done for us.  (Even if they fell short of being a good parent or grandparent, they gave us life.  We forgive them and do what we can for them.)

Bonus Read- Beautiful names of God to bring to mind when life happens:

Almighty  “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ “  Genesis 17:1

Counselor  “And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

Dwelling place “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”  Psalm 90:1

Everlasting  “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”  Isaiah 40:28

Father. “And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.”  Isaiah 64:8

Guide. “For that is what God is like.  He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.”  Psalm 48:1

Holy Spirit. “Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?”  Isaiah 63:11

Immanuel. “… the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”  Isaiah 7:14

Jesus  “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 3:23

Messiah  “Simon Peter answered [Jesus], “You are the Messiah (anointed one), the Son of the living God.”  Matthew 16:16

For more names of God see:  https://www.godisreal.today/names-of-god/